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We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Some may call it a splurge; others will call it an investment. Either way, both you and your children are going to benefit big time.
Includes three disposable bags with absorbent pads and a travel bag.
Promising review: "Perfect for long car rides or if you live in the country. Makes a great emergency potty. We initially purchased it to help with potty training while we were out and about. We leave it in the car now as an emergency potty and have had to use it with our toddler quite a few times. Worth it. Works well. Folds easily. And if you don’t have the bags they send with it, a grocery store bag works in a pinch." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $20.99 (available in two colors).
Promising Review: "My husband gave me a strange look when I announced that I bought a $20+ squeak toy, but after having this for six months, he now understands that it was worth it! The product description of this toy seems a little whimsical when it describes how it is a toy for all the senses; however, I am 100% sold. Besides the smell (it doesn't really seem to have a scent), I would argue that this one toy does entice my baby's sense of sight, touch, taste, and hearing." —JennK
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
Promising review: "I had tried to convince myself I didn't need this mattress and even purchased a different one when we set up the nursery since our baby would be in a bassinet in our room initially anyway. We ended up switching our baby to his crib around five months, and inevitably, every night, he'd end up flipping over onto his belly and burying his face in the mattress. I found myself unable to sleep and instead just watched his vitals on the Owlet to make sure he was still able to breathe. After two nights, I took the plunge and ordered the Newton, and am so glad I did! You can absolutely breathe right through it with ease, so I feel so much better about having our little guy sleep on his stomach with his face buried in it. I haven't had to clean it yet, but I love the fact that the whole thing is easily washable because it's only a matter of time! He also is sleeping great on it — usually 10 to 12 hours! Definitely worth it, in my opinion, especially if you have a stomach sleeper!" —Dana
Get it from Amazon for $299.99 (available in four colors).
Promising review: "If you are on the fence about a carrier or looking to gift a first-time mom with something awesome. Pull the trigger on this and do it. It is SOO worth it. The weight limit is 45 pounds, and can be used from birth. I am ten months in, and we're at 25 pounds. I suspect I will get another year out of this weight-wise; whether or not she will want to be carried is another question. There is also a Facebook group that happily will do fit checks to ensure you and your little one are comfy! I feel like it's been a life-changing experience for me and my little one. I cannot say how much stress has been relieved on us both since I am still able to do things and my child is able to snuggle mom." —Anastasia
Get it from Amazon for $99.99+ (available in four colors).
Promising review: "We got a different tub first, which was okay but not great. This one is WAY nicer. It keeps our baby in a good position. My only complaint is that it is slightly too large for our utility sink, so I have to use our large bathtub. But it’s so worth it since our baby is comfy and happy. I wish we had gotten this one sooner!" —Tracey K.
Get it from Amazon for $19.78+ (available in three colors).
Promising review: "Mom and Dad, whatever you do, don't believe the negative comments on this. It is honestly the most amazing thing ever. I took my baby to the doctor for an ear infection and a bad cough. The doctor said I had to be extremely diligent in removing all her boogies to stop the congestion in her chest and nose, which was also leading to the ear infection... well after hearing positive things about this and reading the negative stuff. I took a shot at it, and believe me when I tell you, it has been a really good purchase and well worth it. Super easy to use. In the beginning, your child might not be a fan of it, but with days he or she will start to notice that it's not painful, and it will become a lot easier to suction out all the gunky stuff! Give it a try; I promise you won't regret it." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $15.42+.
The Baby Brezza has been one of my best investments for year one in Babyland. Late-night feeds no longer become about fumbling, spilling, mixing, warming, and minutes later delivering a so-so bottle to a crying child. No, in seconds, a measured and warm concoction is in hand and then in the baby's mouth. Just add water to the tank and formula to the dispenser and serve bottles ranging between 2—10 ounces warmed to three different temperatures. The time, effort, and stress this wonderful machine has saved me from is emotionally immeasurable and worth the price tag. It even forces you to clean it after every four uses because that formula gets gunky, and you get lazy. Beyond worth it!
Promising review: "A little pricey but worth it! We love this and wish we would have purchased it so much sooner. Make sure to buy an extra filter, though, as it needs to be cleaned after three uses. If you're hesitant to purchase, don't be. Making bottles in the middle of the night a million times easier." —Amanda Jacobson
Get it from Amazon for $199.99.
Promising review: "Love this so much, we bought another! Love that it is durable and easy to use. We use it for every change, and it’s easy to clean if there is an accident. It has saved our white couches MANY times, and it’s worth it!" —Elise Hosseini
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in six colors).
Promising Review: "This has been a life-saver! I think we can all agree cutting our baby's nails is one of the most daunting tasks ever! Not anymore, I really wish I wouldn’t have waited eight months to purchase this! My baby literally giggled the whole time I filed his nails the first time...which was a nice change from the usual screaming bloody murder while trimming his nails...It’s worth it, just do it!" —AmberRF
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
Promising review: "We bought this after the frustration of using a stroller with a diaper bag attached, and it ALWAYS falls over if our son wasn't in the stroller. We LOVE this thing so much!! We have used it at the beach, park, zoo, etc. We are having another baby here soon, and we will be buying the car seat adapter. We have been stopped so many times since getting it and asked if it's worth it (it is). Seriously, I will never regret buying this wagon!! Buy it; you won't regret it!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $255.99 (available in three colors).
Promising review: "Ordered before my daughter was born, and I went into labor before we had a chance to set it up. It sat in its box for about three months, when finally, I decided to pull it out and see if it was worth it. WELL worth it! The wipes WORK BETTER in this thing. As others have mentioned, the top wipes will dry out a bit if you leave the warmer plugged in all of the time, but I always pour 1/2–3/4 cups of water over the wipes as soon as I refill it, which prevents that issue. The extra moisture really helps. Our baby never protested too much about wipe temperature, but I like how the wipes are so much more effective when warm and moist...especially now that we've started solids. You know what I mean." —Christine V
Get it from Amazon for $30.05.
Promising review: "These are a lot of fun, my kids play with them for hours on end. I also enjoy playing with them. I think that they will be fun for years to come as well which is always awesome. Sometimes it seems kids' toys are only fun for the kids for a year but not these. They are a little expensive but totally worth it." —Galen H.
Get it from Amazon for $49.99.
Promising review: "This camera is a literal godsend. We’ve been trying to sleep train and track sleep and how many times we go in the room, and the Nanit tracks that. The camera is so clear. The app is so easy. Set up is so easy. The only thing is it has to be in the middle, but our son's sign was there, so we had to move the crib over for the camera to work properly, but it was SO worth it." —Erica s
Get it from Target for $379.99.
Promising review: "Love this mat for baby's play area. It is white and gray, which is a lot more pleasant than the bright primary color options out there. It is easy to assemble and clean but also cushions the floor for whenever the baby tips over from trying to sit up or crawl. Totally worth it in my opinion." —Maria K.
Get it from Amazon for $94.99 (available in three colors).
Promising review: "I love this air purifier. I have four of them! I purchased one for the baby's room, then it worked so well that I got three more! I have two kids that need nightlights; this works great. It's bright enough that if they wake up, they will not be afraid, but it's not so bright to wake them up. I can turn it on at bath time, and the room is ready for them to sleep in with clean air by the time they get in bed. I turn on the nightlight, the setting to a 1, and in the morning, when they get up, I turn it off. If their room is stuffy, I leave it on all day on 1/low, and it's fresh when they get home. If it is stuffy or the cat has been handed out in a particular room, I turn it on 3/high. The filters last me 3—6 months, depending on the room I have them in. I use them every day, though, so it is worth it." —Neuromancer
Get it from Amazon for $82.38+ (available in two colors).
The Diaper Genie is a very controversial product, especially if you read some of the Amazon reviews. I'm here to tell you that it's been a part of our babies' lives since his first diaper change at home. It's not perfect, but it is close enough. Once that diaper is slam-dunked in there, I only have to change the bag (about once a day). That's the time-saver right there. Yes, you will get hit with the smell when you open it, but just don't get too close. Otherwise, all odors are contained when the lid is closed. Another thing I don't ever have to think about (other than ordering bag refills).
Promising review: "I was super skeptical of this but was recommended to get one by multiple people. Wow, we use it so much. Babies and especially newborns poop a ton. My baby averages ten diapers in 24 hours. This makes it so nice to dispose of them without mess or smell. Totally worth it. The brand refills are expensive, so we just used a generic brand, and they work fine." —CLK
Get it from Amazon for $47.99+ (available in four colors).
We refer to this contraption as "the office" because it not only keeps our little guy busy (there are 25+ developmental activities crammed into this thing), but he looks like a boss as he swivels around in his 360-degree rotating seat. It's sturdy, and boy, does it take a beating (especially that bouncy sheep). The beats from the piano aren't bad, either. So worth it! The best part about the Skip Hop 3-Stage Interactive Activity Center might be its bright but not loud color palette that won't completely clash with the rest of your furniture.
Promising review: "Get it. You’re thinking about it, just buy it. It’s going to be a lifesaver for you, your baby is going to love it, and the money you spent will be so worth it." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $141.99.
Promising review: "100% worth it! I’m in love with this thermometer. I debated spending the extra money on this for a long time, but now I am glad that I did. It does take a few minutes to set up to link with your phone and get the family members set up. No beeping, so it doesn't wake your kid. You don't have to touch it to their forehead, either. I have been allowing it to touch just to see the difference, and it's the same. The app has everything you need to keep track of times, dates, which kid it was, what meds you gave, etc. If you're not a medical person, it gives different severity ranges of fever based on age. Takes the googling out of it. This one also gives you the added bonus of storing the info and sharing it with a doctor if needed. Worth the extra money if you are looking for an upgrade." —Colleen
Get it from Amazon for $86.98.
Promising review: "After using this for five different trips, I have to say that this curtain IS AMAZING. A lot of users mentioned issues with the suction cups breaking or not sticking, but I wonder if they've been yanking off the cups. The "correct' way to take off these suction cups is to pull on a little notch. It comes off quite easily but can be annoying at times to find it. All in all, it's probably an extra minute of work and totally worth it to keep it in good shape because it's so effective. It's great at blacking out the room, and the velcro within the panel makes it really easy to customize this to the window pane. My toddler has slept so well on our travels with these in place. In times when we've had to room-share, my husband and I have also loved the ability to turn any room into a cave. Super easy to fold down and stow. Great purchase!" —HN
Get it from Amazon for $26.72+ (available in 10 patterns).
Promising review: "As a new father, I was eager to learn about a device that could calm a fussy child. I had seen this product at a friend's house a while back but never thought anything of it. I looked more into it and decided to make the investment. I am so happy I found this swing because it has saved our sanity as new parents. We no longer have to feel guilty for putting the baby down for a little bit. I can easily change the swing's speed, direction, and motion with the touch control features. It allows me to find the ideal type of motion and speed combination to calm my baby. As an added bonus, I can use the built-in speakers to play relaxing music or white noise, which deepens the relaxing atmosphere a regular bouncer cannot provide...I can't say enough nice things about it. It has changed everything for me and my baby, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to any parent looking for a modern and helpful method of calming their infant. Pricey but 100% worth it!" —Aaron Shafer
Get it from Amazon for $202.49.
Promising review: "Worth it. I needed a fan that would cool my son at Disneyland without chopping his fingers and running out of batteries fast. Also, something that wouldn’t be easily taken off of my stroller like the Disney fans that I always loose. This one held a good battery, has a night light for all that foot traffic, straps to the stroller and has USB charger. It kept us cool." —cameron
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in three colors).
Promising review: "I've had this for four years, and I use it every night at bedtime. I've even traveled with it because it is not that big. It is fantastic. It has so many sounds that you will find one you like. I also use it with my babies when we travel since they sleep with a sound machine. It's worked great for years. Worth it." —apowell2
Get it from Amazon for $31.99 (available in white and black).
Promising review: "Great suction power, feels like the suckling of my baby. The noise level is very minimal, can barely hear it. It is also super easy and convenient to clean! I purchased extra breast shields because the two sizes that come with the pump are too big for my nipple. That was an extra $30. The pump is very pricey, even for just the single but so worth it. I am in love with this pump! It’s so easy to clean, put together and use. There’s also an app you download and connect the pump to, which lets you set a timer for your sessions and even measures how much is going into the bottle. You can control the suction power, the button to start your milk going, etc. I also like the small carry bag it comes with; very convenient for travel and useful so you can have your pump with you anywhere you go if needed." —Donna Arellano
Get it from Amazon for $239.99+.
OK, this is, admittedly, a bit of a controversial pick. But I can't tell you how many different (at least three) humidifiers we tried for our kids' rooms. Every single one was difficult to clean and would get all sorts of funk and even mold inside, no matter how diligent we were. To me, Canopy is great because you can actually clean it properly (some of it in the dishwasher, in fact) and replace the paper filters (an added cost but worth it for sure). Plus, it works well; we see a difference in the kids' skin (less itchiness) when we run them overnight.
Promising review: "I can not say enough great things about this humidifier! It is so beautiful, and the aroma scents are AMAZING!! Totally worth it!" —Kassie
"I love it so far. I feel that I'm doing the best for my baby, and I knowing there isn't too much moisture in the air and also mold. No one wants to do refills anymore, me included, but if that's what we have to do, it's worth it. It's a plus that it just gets sent to you without having to think about it! Thank you!" —Amanda M.
Get it from Canopy for $125+ (available in six colors). Individual filters cost $15 or $10 each with certain subscription options.
Promising review: "Bought this to take with us to Waffle House! The kids love the place, but the chairs are not tall enough for the table. This works perfectly! We now have it set up at home, and I love that my 2-year-old can feel right at home with everyone else at the table. The only downside is it's not the easiest to fold ALL the way up however, it's a short walk to the car and well worth it." —SY
Get it from Target for $49.99 (available in two colors).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.